China occupied Tibet in 1950 as this region is of utmost importance to China in the sense that it is buffer state between Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan and India. This is the region which provides water lifeline to about 50% of population of South East Asia and hence China intimidates many countries
by putting dams in water as well as releases water to cause floods in neighboring countries. Not only water, the oil-bearing fields of Amdo produce more than one million tons of crude oil per annum. 94 kinds of different minerals reserves are in Tibet including rich reserves of gold, copper, tin, oil and gas.
Tibet is like a gifted weapon of China for its neighbors. The tough plateau also defends China from enemies. If Tibet were free India would not spend $45 billion annually on defense.
Here on we will look into history of Tibet in brief to know its blood, how its size reduced from 2.8 to 1.2 million sq. KM, how China occupied Tibet and its tourist points.
From 500 BC till 1240 AD Tibet was distinct and independent country. From 1240-1354 AD West Mongol’s Yuan Dynasty ruled in Tibet but they just performed administration and did not interfere in their religion and freedom ever and treated them as saintly state. After fall of Yuan a few families ruled in Tibet for nearly 300 years but they worked under
Mongol-Sakya framework of Government. Ming dynasty of China made no efforts to look towards Tibet and hence remained under Mongol influence during family rules till 18th century.
Ghusi Khan from West Mongolia was from Ganden Phodrang family. He setup Tibetan government in 1642 under 5th Dalai Lama. In 1717 Tibet was occupied by Dzungar Khanate who was of Western Mongol origin and also a descendent of Mongol Yuan dynasty who ruled China in 13th century. Qing dynasty ousted Dzungar Khanate in 1720. So Tibet was part of Qing dynasty from 1720 -1912 AD.
When Qing dynasty was overpowered by Kuomintang Party (China’s Nationalist Communist Party) a declaration was signed between Qing dynasty last minor emperor that Kuomintang will inherit all territories ruled by Qing Emperor. Since Tibet was ruled by Qing, Kuomintang assumed its claim on Tibet in 1912. But at same time in 1912 Dalai Lama proclaimed internationally that Tibet is a sovereign nation and is a free territory.
A few terms to know
Kuomintang Party – It was liberal communist Nationalist party. It was founded by Sun-Yat-Sen by uniting all rebels against Qing dynasty. It succeeded in overthrowing Qing dynasty and actively participated in civil war with Mao’s People’s Communist party.
ROC (Republic Of China)- After the civil war in 1945, China’s Kuomintang Party made the China government and named China as Republic of China (ROC). They ruled mainland China from 1945-1949 until they fled to Taiwan after defeat by Mao’s Communist Party. Today Kuomintang is ruling in Taiwan as independent country. In fact they claim mainland China too.
PRC (People’s Republic Of China)- This is the name of mainland China was given by Mao Zedong in Oct,1950. PRC (communist party) was founded by Mao Zedong who defeated ROC in civil war in 1949.
Tibet- In todays context area of U-Tsang and Western Kham is Tibet. It is about 1.2 million sq. KM. Earlier it was 2.8 million Sq. KM when Amdo and Eastern Kham were its part.
Tibet Central Government- Setup by Mongols in 1642 with office in capital Lhasa. Tibet’s provinces of U-Tsang, Kham and Amdo were governed by it. But after Tibet division only U-Tsang and West Kham are under its control.
Tibet Government in Exile- Dalai Lama had to flee from Tibet in 1951 due to fear of abduction or assassination by ROC. He took political asylum in India. He represents Tibet Government in Exile.
Autonomous Region (TAR)- Autonomous region is made in provinces where there is comparably higher population of a particular minority ethnic group. For example Tibet region has 0.2% of national share and hence has been made as Tibet Autonomous region.
Amdo Region chopped off from Tibet
Historically and culturally Amdo was ruled by series of warlords. It was home of many monasteries, monks and Dalai Lama. From mid 18th century Tibet lost control over it as from 1917 Hui Muslims from Ma Clique (part of Qing Dynasty army) occupied Amdo. They had huge differences with Tibetan culture and rule. They looted, devastated their monasteries and killed Tibetans in frequent wars. They supported Kuomintang in civil and Sino-Japan wars. Gradually by 1928 this region of Tibet got assimilated with a province of China.
Kham Region chopped off from Tibet
Kham is called “Ethnic gate” as there are many ethnic, culture groups are here and they follow different sect of Buddha compared to U-Tsang. It was not ruled by single king but by dozens of independent chieftains. In 1717 Mongol Dzungar Khanate invaded Tibet and all local chieftains of Kham pledged to Tibetan central govt of Lhasa. Habitants of Kham region are called Khampas. Like Amdo they also did not like the Tibet government and U-Tsang Tibetans. They even hated them and preferred more to be with by Chinese rule rather than Tibet government of Lhasa.
In 1950 East Kham (East of Yangtze river) was captured by PRC in battle of Chamdo. PRC divided Kham and West Kham habited by Tibetan Majority merged with Tibet Central Govt and East Kham assimilated to other province of China. Hence the size of Tibet further reduced.
Autonomy is given to Tibet??
In China the autonomous regions are made in provinces where there are comparably higher population of a particular minority ethnic group. For example Tibet region has 0.2% population of national share and hence has been made as Tibet Autonomous region since Yuan Dynasty rule. It is autonomous in the sense that there is no interference in religion and culture of Tibet by China. All other control is like any other province of China. But in actual Dalai Lama wants an honest autonomy. There is much influx of Chinese after 1950 and this has grabbed Tibetans jobs, their culture is in jeopardy, pressure of natural resources, cutting of jungle for export, monasteries are destroyed and “culture revolution” brought in 1966 has devastated the soul of Tibetans. Book written on ” On the Cultural Revolution in Tibet: The Nyemo Incident of 1969, by Melvyn Goldstein, Ben Jiao and Tanzen Lhundrup. In 1987 Dalai Lama proposed a self rule of Tibetans, freedom but under the government of China. But China disagreed and till today there are no conclusions. China is not ready to allow any freedom to Tibet. It thinks that freedom of even mainland citizens is an overhead for development and existence of country. Just remember Tiananmen Square movement for democracy when 3000 students were massacred by Chinese government in 1989. Hongkong is latest example.
PRC grabbed Tibet Autonomous Region
In 1912 Qing dynasty was overthrown by Kuomintang Party and under the agreement it owned Tibet. In 1913 Dalai Lama proclaimed that Tibet is an independent nation with it own national flag, currency, stamp and army. Subsequently the two big regions of Tibet were amalgamated into two provinces of China. The Kuomintang was engaged in war with Japan and civil war so no more developments happened with regard to Tibet then. In 1950 China communist party forced a 17 point agreement with Tibet leader Dalai Lama. as per that Tibet was declared as province of PRC. But after this there was influx of Chinese settlers in Tibet, attacks of Tibetan couture and jobs there were frequent protests in public. Army was called by PRC and tens of thousands of Tibetans were murdered. This was year 1959 and Dalai Lama had to take political asylum in India with 80,000 followers.
Meanwhile in 1995 Dalai Lama nominated Panchen Lama for future Dalai lama but China abducted the 6 year old Lama and installed his own Chinese Panchen Lama. Now Dalai Lama has asked to choose next lama by democratic voting so that China has to interference it the religious guru. In whole war of freedom since 1949 about 1.2 millions of Tibetans are killed, starved, imprisoned and about 6000 monasteries are destroyed. The war is continuing with peace and Tibet needs world support to save their age old culture and freedom from China iron fist.
Demand of Government in Exile
Of late for peace of Tibetan people Dalai Lama has proposed a middle approach that they want “genuine autonomy”. By this they mean cultural, educational, administrative rights and let TAR, Amdo and Kham also be part of Tibet as 1950.
Tourism
You need to have Chinese Visa as well as Tibetan Permit. All these can be better arranged by tour operator. There are some start hotels but you can not expect them to have star facilities. Hot water and AC may not be available. This 8 day tour may cost about 250 thousand per person. Group travel will be cheaper.
Drepung Monastery (Zhebang Si), Ganden Monastery,Sera Monastery, Ani Tsankhung Nunnery, Drak Yerpa, Everest base camp, Barkhor Street, Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple are a few popular sites to see.
Day 1 – Kathmandu
Day 2 – Full day sightseeing in Lhasa.
Day 3 – Full day sightseeing in Lhasa.
Day 4 – Lhasa to Shigatse via Gyantse.
Day 5 – Shigatse to Ronbuk via Shegar
Day 6 – Hike to Everest Base Camp
Day 7 – Shigatse to Lhasa (341 km)
Day 8 – Drive to the Airport flight back to Kathmandu
www.tibettravel.org is a good site to know the daily life and travel related information. It is very detailed and maintained by an experienced Tibetan guide.
Epilogue
If you want respite from city life for sometime travel to Tibet. Everyday Life Here life is slow and is dominated by religion. Religion is a daily practice. Tibetans spend much of their time in prayer or doing activities, such as spinning prayer wheels and hanging prayer flags, that earn them merit. Tibetans follow polyandry life (one wife many husbands). Woman can choose the father of baby. Pilgrimage customs are same as in Hindu religion. Farmers are nomadic as they have to stay in pastures for their cattle. begging is no curse but a sacred act. We can see many beggars in Tibet. As such the country which is abundant of minerals and water is thirsty for its freedom.
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